June 2016 - John Vilade

June 2016 - John Vilade

John Vilade

Team: Ridge High School, Hunterdon Bears u18AA NJYHL

Position: Forward (Center)

Birthday: 1998

Height: 5'8"

Weight: 160lbs

Chosen Attributes: Teamwork

Why is this important to you?

When I was a child, I was taught that including others in anything would lead to high performance. To this day, I still find it true in both hockey and in my spiritual life. In hockey teamwork is something you can not buy in a pro shop or sign a contract for. Chemistry is built on the ice when more than one player contributes to achieve a common goal. It is much easier to achieve the goal when you have chemistry with the players to your right and left side. Comfort and trust are two things that come to my mind when I think of teamwork in hockey. I am comforted to know that no matter what, my line mates will always have my back even when I make the worst mistakes. Also, I am trusting of my teammates that they are always giving their best to me and the team as a whole. These lessons I learned formed the foundation for my belief in the greatest way to play. You do not have to be the most skilled players to win. As long as you are on the same page and give it your all, the chance at victory can only increase. Teamwork, I learned, is also imperative to growing spiritually. When I joined my church’s youth group organization, I quickly discovered that these other students only wanted to help each other grow. The team work and love shown by my youth group and church only confirmed my belief that we are never in a hopeless situation. Whenever I am ‘stuck-in-the-mud’ and think that the only way for me to go is further down, it is the teamwork of my fellow Christians that provides me the comfort I need to- as TobyMac says- “get back up again”. This is why I believe that teamwork is the most important attribute out of these three.

Have you been involved with FCA or FCA Hockey in the past? What has been your experience with us?

Last May (2015) was my first experience with FCA hockey, and although my high school has a club that represents the organization, I never really knew much about it until last summer. When I attended the Team FCA Camp at Niagara University, I never felt more accepted. As soon as I arrived on campus, counselors and other players alike welcomed me with open arms. Throughout the camp I felt not only encouragement to improve my hockey skills, but also my spiritual life. Small Bible Studies helped me bond with my teammates, but also look at where my heart was (spiritually). My participation in FCA hockey was truly life changing.

What is your favorite scripture verse?

Although I have many favorite Bible verses, I enjoy those regarding perseverance. The most powerful one, for me, is Revelation2:10.

Revelation2:10- Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

The book of Revelation is one of my favorites in the Bible because of its message of faithful patience. This verse, in particular, stood out to me when I first read it because I often feel small, daily temptations by the devil. Yet, I am motivated by this verse and my faith in general, to remain loyal to the one and only God.

I also use this verse as motivation to push myself to the limit. Whether in hockey, or in my spiritual life, I am often plagued with the idea that giving up and giving into my pain is okay, when it is not. Just thinking about this verse inspires me to always give it my all. Whether it is triple overtime or the last day on a mission trip, true faithfulness will always show in the toughest of times.

What else should we know about you (future goals in hockey, family members, what church do you go to, favorite stuff outside of hockey, etc.)?

Hockey: I have been selected captain (by the coaching staff and graduating senior class) for the Ridge Hockey varsity team’s 2016-2017 season. My goal is to lead my team to the state finals and win it, as we have been short all three of my years at the school. I also plan on playing in the ACHA at the college I end up attending in Fall 2017.

I have a 15 year old brother, currently playing Midget Hockey, whom I consider myself a role model for. He joined our church’s youth group last summer and will be attending his second mission trip in July 2016.

My family and I attend Somerset Hills Baptist Church, a small Southern Baptist church in our hometown of Basking Ridge. As a church family, we have participated in and lead many ministries to help both our community and spread the gospel throughout the country.

Some of my favorite things to do outside of hockey is: spend time with friends and family, attend church and youth group events, and volunteer to help plan the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event.